Wine Specs
Vintage
2014
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Sonoma Coast
Vineyard Designation
Mardikian Vineyard
Harvest Date
September 6, 19 & 24, 2014
Sugar
22.7 & 25.0 Brix
Acid
.54 gms/100ml
pH
3.62
Aging
Aged sur lie 16 months in French oak, 35% new
Bottling Date
February 23, 2016
Alcohol %
14
2014 Mardikian Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Magnum
Sonoma Coast
In Stock
The third release of our only Estate vineyard realizes the dream of having eight stellar Pinot Clones in the wine, the first time this has happened. Mardikian is a thinking person’s wine, contemplative if you will, rich and opulent and not prone to showing off. This is the true Sonoma Coast, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the maritime influences show. The salty air descends each day on the vineyard, leaving a distinctive and easily recognizable signature. Aromas of Asian Five Spice leave an exotic impression, followed by dark raspberry and plum and tasty down under style black licorice. The vineyard is only in its sixth leaf, so each new vintage offering is truly something special, an evolving tale that is wonderful to explore and experience.
Winemaking:
- Grapes we hand picked and hand sorted twice, 100% de-stemmed
- Five day pre-fermentation cold maceration
- Blend of native fermentations and RA17, ICV-GRE, BM45, BGY, D254, RC212 & Assmanshausen yeasts
- Native malolactic fermentation in barrel
- Battonage weekly for 3 months
- Aging 16 months sur lie in French oak, 35% new, balance once and twice filled
- New French Oak Coopers: Dargaud & Jaegle COF & Borgougne, Remond A, Gamba AJ & Ermitage AV
- Bottled 100% unfined and lightly filtered on February 23, 2016
Production: Thirty magnums were bottled of this wine
Clones: 2A | 114 | 115 | 667 | 777 | Martini, Pommard & Swan
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
~ 92 - 94 Points, "Outstanding" / "“Wonderful cherry and a bit of eucalyptus. Wow. Needs to settle down a bit, but this is going to be ablockbuster.” - Jeff Kralik, The Drunken Cyclist
Awards
~ 93 Points, "Outstanding" / “Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Heavenly scents of raspberry, black cherry and dried herbs lead off. Sleek, refined and polished in the mouth, with both weight of flavor and weightlessness. Savory spices and herbs complement the red cherry and berry essence. Not the biggest hunk, but very seductive.” - Rusty Gaffney, PInotFile
Vineyard Notes
~ 92 Points, "Highly Recommended" / “An estate-grown vineyard designate, this impressive offering is smooth in cherry, berry and clove, with wisps of black pepper dancing around its edges. The finish is long and spicy. It’s complex yet fun, and will do well at the table though it’s also easy enough to enjoy on its own.” - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
Production Notes
~ 91 Points, "Exceptional" / "Provoking said La Folie’s Rob Renteria of this wine, noting that is white peppercorn aroma reminded him of Rhône reds as much as Pinot Noir. It comes from a coastal site that MacPhail planted in 2008. The wine feels plump and sweet at first, almost like Grenache, but finishes with resolutely coastal savor. Its wild aromas of smoke, damp undergrowth and – yes – peppercorn would match grilled quail.” - Josh Greene, Wine & Spirits
Winemaker Notes
~ 91 Points, "Very Highly Recommended" / “Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, fragrant, spicy, cherry fruit aroma with hints of Asian spices; medium to medium-full body; fleshy, elegant, red fruit flavors with some plushness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable now, though best to age for a few more years.” - Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine
Food Pairing Notes
~ 90 Points, "Without Flaws" / “This bottling, with its first aromas of pert red cherries, sympathetic oak and whiffs of brush and its early firm, almost lithe feel on the palate with hints of a more supple texture to come, may lack for a bit of boldness but has both clear focus and the great potential for future beauty on the positive side of its ledger. While it is not designed for the long term, it could use three to five years [of aging].” - Charles Olken, Connoisseur's Guide To California Wine
~ A- / "Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of marijuana resin and raspberries. In the mouth, raspberry and raspberry leaf flavors are suffused with a strong sinsemilla flavor that is remarkable, and very appealing. Good acidity and length." - Alder Yarrow, Vinography
~ “Day One: Quiet, undemonstrative, a wine in its shell. Seemingly little fruit or extract, no earth nor herbs. The grape is hiding while the barrel sings a solo. Day Two: Expressive and floral, redolent of purple flowers, almost lavender, rose hips and beach rose, wild roses. The body now offers a coffee savoriness, a darkness with a fetching acid-bitter etch. The fruit is like cranberries steeped in black coffee, and the tingly acidity is enlivening, profound. Ergo: Give it air now, or lay it down for a few years.” - Meg Houston Maker, Maker's Table
Other Notes
TASTING NOTES:
The third release of our only Estate vineyard realizes the dream of having eight stellar Pinot Clones in the wine, the first time this has happened. Mardikian is a thinking person’s wine, contemplative if you will, rich and opulent and not prone to showing off. This is the true Sonoma Coast, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the maritime influences show. The salty air descends each day on the vineyard, leaving a distinctive and easily recognizable signature. Aromas of Asian Five Spice leave an exotic impression, followed by dark raspberry and plum and tasty down under style black licorice. The vineyard is only in its sixth leaf, so each new vintage offering is truly something special, an evolving tale that is wonderful to explore and experience.
2014 Mardikian Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Magnum
Sonoma Coast
In Stock
The third release of our only Estate vineyard realizes the dream of having eight stellar Pinot Clones in the wine, the first time this has happened. Mardikian is a thinking person’s wine, contemplative if you will, rich and opulent and not prone to showing off. This is the true Sonoma Coast, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the maritime influences show. The salty air descends each day on the vineyard, leaving a distinctive and easily recognizable signature. Aromas of Asian Five Spice leave an exotic impression, followed by dark raspberry and plum and tasty down under style black licorice. The vineyard is only in its sixth leaf, so each new vintage offering is truly something special, an evolving tale that is wonderful to explore and experience.
Winemaking:
- Grapes we hand picked and hand sorted twice, 100% de-stemmed
- Five day pre-fermentation cold maceration
- Blend of native fermentations and RA17, ICV-GRE, BM45, BGY, D254, RC212 & Assmanshausen yeasts
- Native malolactic fermentation in barrel
- Battonage weekly for 3 months
- Aging 16 months sur lie in French oak, 35% new, balance once and twice filled
- New French Oak Coopers: Dargaud & Jaegle COF & Borgougne, Remond A, Gamba AJ & Ermitage AV
- Bottled 100% unfined and lightly filtered on February 23, 2016
Production: Thirty magnums were bottled of this wine
Clones: 2A | 114 | 115 | 667 | 777 | Martini, Pommard & Swan
Vintage
2014
Sugar
22.7 & 25.0 Brix
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Acid
.54 gms/100ml
Bottling Date
February 23, 2016
Vineyard Designation
Mardikian Vineyard
Aging
Aged sur lie 16 months in French oak, 35% new
Alcohol %
14
Harvest Date
September 6, 19 & 24, 2014
Tasting Notes
~ 92 - 94 Points, "Outstanding" / "“Wonderful cherry and a bit of eucalyptus. Wow. Needs to settle down a bit, but this is going to be ablockbuster.” - Jeff Kralik, The Drunken Cyclist
Awards
~ 93 Points, "Outstanding" / “Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Heavenly scents of raspberry, black cherry and dried herbs lead off. Sleek, refined and polished in the mouth, with both weight of flavor and weightlessness. Savory spices and herbs complement the red cherry and berry essence. Not the biggest hunk, but very seductive.” - Rusty Gaffney, PInotFile
Vineyard Notes
~ 92 Points, "Highly Recommended" / “An estate-grown vineyard designate, this impressive offering is smooth in cherry, berry and clove, with wisps of black pepper dancing around its edges. The finish is long and spicy. It’s complex yet fun, and will do well at the table though it’s also easy enough to enjoy on its own.” - Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
Production Notes
~ 91 Points, "Exceptional" / "Provoking said La Folie’s Rob Renteria of this wine, noting that is white peppercorn aroma reminded him of Rhône reds as much as Pinot Noir. It comes from a coastal site that MacPhail planted in 2008. The wine feels plump and sweet at first, almost like Grenache, but finishes with resolutely coastal savor. Its wild aromas of smoke, damp undergrowth and – yes – peppercorn would match grilled quail.” - Josh Greene, Wine & Spirits
Winemaker Notes
~ 91 Points, "Very Highly Recommended" / “Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, fragrant, spicy, cherry fruit aroma with hints of Asian spices; medium to medium-full body; fleshy, elegant, red fruit flavors with some plushness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very enjoyable now, though best to age for a few more years.” - Nicholas Ponomareff, California Grapevine
Food Pairing Notes
~ 90 Points, "Without Flaws" / “This bottling, with its first aromas of pert red cherries, sympathetic oak and whiffs of brush and its early firm, almost lithe feel on the palate with hints of a more supple texture to come, may lack for a bit of boldness but has both clear focus and the great potential for future beauty on the positive side of its ledger. While it is not designed for the long term, it could use three to five years [of aging].” - Charles Olken, Connoisseur's Guide To California Wine
~ A- / "Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of marijuana resin and raspberries. In the mouth, raspberry and raspberry leaf flavors are suffused with a strong sinsemilla flavor that is remarkable, and very appealing. Good acidity and length." - Alder Yarrow, Vinography
~ “Day One: Quiet, undemonstrative, a wine in its shell. Seemingly little fruit or extract, no earth nor herbs. The grape is hiding while the barrel sings a solo. Day Two: Expressive and floral, redolent of purple flowers, almost lavender, rose hips and beach rose, wild roses. The body now offers a coffee savoriness, a darkness with a fetching acid-bitter etch. The fruit is like cranberries steeped in black coffee, and the tingly acidity is enlivening, profound. Ergo: Give it air now, or lay it down for a few years.” - Meg Houston Maker, Maker's Table
Other Notes
TASTING NOTES:
The third release of our only Estate vineyard realizes the dream of having eight stellar Pinot Clones in the wine, the first time this has happened. Mardikian is a thinking person’s wine, contemplative if you will, rich and opulent and not prone to showing off. This is the true Sonoma Coast, just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and the maritime influences show. The salty air descends each day on the vineyard, leaving a distinctive and easily recognizable signature. Aromas of Asian Five Spice leave an exotic impression, followed by dark raspberry and plum and tasty down under style black licorice. The vineyard is only in its sixth leaf, so each new vintage offering is truly something special, an evolving tale that is wonderful to explore and experience.
